´India has wished timely elections to the Constituent Assembly (CA) and thereby political stability, peace and multiparty democracy in Nepal´, said President Koirala, who was on a high-level political visit at the invitation of the Government of India, while talking to journalists upon his arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport on Friday. [break]
He also shared information that India was ready to provide necessary logistic support for the upcoming CA elections.
During his visit, the NC President had held talks with senior Indian leaders including Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress I Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Minister for External Affairs Salman Khursid, External Affairs Secretary Sujata Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chairperson Rajnath Singh.
He also visited Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and held separate meetings with the respective Chief Ministers. Koirala briefed that during his discussions he found Indian goodwill for political stability and peace in Nepal.
´After the meetings with Indian government and leaders, I consider the visit successful especially in expanding the bilateral relations and cooperation. I found them in favour of elections deeming it a lifeblood of democracy´, Koirala added.
Koirala further said he had informed the Indian leaders that the election to the CA would take place on time and dialogues are underway to bring the poll opposing parties to the election process.
In separate meetings with Chief Ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, discussions were held towards resolving various problems including that of floods and cross-border crime and India was positive to address such issues, said the NC President.
NC has had age-old relations with the Congress I and this visit has helped expand its relations with other political parties of India in a different dimension, he added.
Asked whether Congress I Chairperson Sonia Gandhi recommended to go for federalism based on economic capability, Koirala said the recommendation was that Nepali people themselves are able to find out a proper solution given it is the matter of people to decide.
On another query about deferral of election on condition of CPN-Maoist coming to the election, he expressed the hope that the election will be held in the slated date.
President Koirala, who had left for a goodwill visit to India on August 4, was accompanied by NC general secretary duo Prakash Man Singh and Krishna Prasad Sitaula and his personal secretary Laxman Dhakal.
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